White nationalist to surrender on Charlottesville felony charges

A white nationalist wanted for crimes police say were committed on the campus of the University of Virginia a day before a deadly rally says he will turn himself in to authorities.

University of Virginia police say Christopher Cantwell of Keene, New Hampshire, is wanted on three felony charges: two counts of the illegal use of tear gas or other gases and one count of malicious bodily injury with a “caustic substance,” explosive or fire.

Contacted by The Associated Press, Cantwell acknowledged he had pepper-sprayed a counter demonstrator during a protest but insisted he was defending himself, saying he did it “because my only other option was knocking out his teeth.”

Chris Cantwell went viral after a Vice News documentary on the Charlottesville protests exposed him as a heavily armed advocate of violence.

(Vice News via HBO)

Cantwell also said Tuesday evening that he had been trying for days to find out about whether he had outstanding warrants. Now that the police have issued a statement, Cantwell said he is “convinced” that he is wanted and will turn himself in.

He would not say where or exactly when that would happen, only that it would be done in the “most appropriate and safe manner possible.” He said it would occur in the next 24 hours, “likely much sooner than that,” and that he looked forward to his day in court.